'Coffee & Dolls' by April Bernard

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It was a storefront for a small-time numbers runner,
pretending to be some sort of grocery. Coffeemakers
and Bustello cans populated the shelves, sparsely.
Who was fooled. The boxes bleached in the sun,
the old guys sat inside on summer lawn chairs,
watching tv. The applause from the talk shows and game shows
washed out the propped-open door like distant rain.It closed for a few months. The slick sedan disappeared.
One spring day, it reopened, this time a sign
decorated the window: COFFEE & DOLLS.
Yarn-haired, gingham-dressed floppy dolls
lolled among the coffee cans. A mastiff puppy,
the size and shape of a tipped-over fire hydrant,
guarded as the sedan and the old guys returned.I don't know about you, but I've been looking
for a narrative in which suffering makes sense.
I mean, the high wail of the woman holding her dead child,
the wail that filled the street. I mean the sudden
fatal blooms on golden skin. I mean the crack deaths,
I mean the ice-cream truck that cruised the alphabets
and sold crack to the same deedle-dee-dee tune as fudgesicles.
I mean the raw scabs of the beaten mastiff, and many other things.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Coffee & Dolls by April Bernard: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Are you looking for a book that explores the depths of human emotions and relationships? Look no further than "Poetry, Coffee & Dolls" by April Bernard. This collection of poems takes readers on a journey through love, loss, and everything in between. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze and interpret the themes, motifs, and literary devices used in the poems.

The Themes

The primary themes in "Poetry, Coffee & Dolls" are love, loss, and grief. Bernard explores the various forms and complexities of love, from the initial stages of infatuation to the more profound and intimate connections. She also delves into the pain and sadness that comes with losing someone close, whether it be through death or the end of a relationship.

One of the most prominent themes in the collection is the power of memory. Bernard utilizes memory as a tool to reflect on past experiences, both positive and negative. The memories are often bittersweet, as they bring back happy moments but also remind the speaker of what they have lost.

Another theme that emerges throughout the collection is the interconnection of art and life. The speaker often uses art, specifically poetry, as a way to process their emotions and experiences. The poems themselves are a testament to the power of art and how it can be used to make sense of the world around us.

The Motifs

Bernard employs several motifs throughout the collection to reinforce the primary themes. One of the most prominent motifs is that of the body. The speaker often describes the physical sensations of love and loss, such as the ache in the chest or the shivers down the spine. These descriptions serve to ground the emotions in the physical realm and make them more tangible.

Another recurring motif is that of nature. The natural world is often used as a metaphor for the speaker's internal emotional state. For example, in the poem "The Apple Tree," the speaker compares their emotional turmoil to the changing seasons and the falling leaves. Nature is also used to represent the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change.

Finally, the motif of time is prevalent throughout the collection. The poems are not arranged chronologically, but rather thematically. This allows the speaker to reflect on past experiences and memories while also acknowledging the passage of time and the inevitability of change.

The Literary Devices

Bernard uses several literary devices throughout the collection to enhance the impact of the themes and motifs. One of the most effective devices is repetition. The repetition of certain phrases and images reinforces their importance and creates a sense of rhythm and unity throughout the collection.

Another literary device that Bernard employs is metaphor. Metaphors are used to make abstract concepts more concrete and relatable to the reader. For example, in the poem "The Red Shoes," the speaker uses the metaphor of a pair of shoes to represent the pain of loss and the struggle to move on.

Personification is another device that Bernard uses to great effect. By giving human qualities to non-human objects, the speaker is able to create a sense of empathy and connection with the reader. In the poem "The Apple Tree," the speaker personifies the tree, describing it as "patient" and "kind," creating a sense of comfort and stability in the midst of emotional turmoil.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry, Coffee & Dolls" by April Bernard is a beautifully written collection of poems that explores the complexities of love, loss, and grief. Bernard's use of themes, motifs, and literary devices enhances the impact of the poems and creates a sense of unity and cohesion throughout the collection. This is a must-read for anyone looking for a book that will take them on an emotional journey and leave them with a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Coffee & Dolls: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

April Bernard's Poetry Coffee & Dolls is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of contemporary life in a unique and captivating way. The poem is a reflection on the complexities of modern life, the struggles of the human condition, and the beauty of the world around us. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of Poetry Coffee & Dolls, and how they contribute to the poem's overall meaning and impact.

Themes

One of the central themes of Poetry Coffee & Dolls is the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that can often seem chaotic and overwhelming. The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene in a coffee shop, where people are "sipping their lattes and reading their papers." This seemingly mundane scene is contrasted with the speaker's own sense of disconnection and alienation from the world around her. She describes feeling "like a doll in a toy store window," disconnected from the world and unable to find her place in it.

This sense of disconnection is further explored in the second stanza, where the speaker describes the "flickering screens" of modern technology that seem to dominate our lives. The speaker laments the fact that we are "always connected, yet always alone," and that our constant engagement with technology has left us feeling empty and unfulfilled.

Another important theme in Poetry Coffee & Dolls is the power of art and creativity to help us find meaning and purpose in our lives. The speaker describes how she turns to poetry as a way of connecting with the world and finding a sense of purpose. She describes how poetry "opens up a world of possibility," and how it allows her to "see the world in a different light." This idea is further reinforced in the final stanza, where the speaker describes how she feels "alive" when she is writing poetry, and how it gives her a sense of purpose and meaning in an otherwise chaotic world.

Structure

The structure of Poetry Coffee & Dolls is relatively simple, consisting of four stanzas of varying length. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, which gives it a sense of spontaneity and freedom. The lack of a set structure also reflects the poem's themes of disconnection and chaos, as the speaker struggles to find a sense of order and meaning in a world that seems to lack structure and coherence.

Language

The language of Poetry Coffee & Dolls is simple and direct, yet it is also rich in imagery and metaphor. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the world around us, from the "flickering screens" of modern technology to the "dolls in a toy store window" that represent our own sense of disconnection and alienation. The use of metaphor and imagery helps to create a sense of depth and complexity in the poem, as the speaker grapples with the complexities of modern life and the human condition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry Coffee & Dolls is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of contemporary life in a unique and captivating way. Through its exploration of themes such as disconnection, creativity, and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a chaotic world, the poem speaks to the universal human experience and offers a message of hope and inspiration. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone looking for a deeper understanding of the world around you, Poetry Coffee & Dolls is a must-read that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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